Symptoms worse after colonoscopy
I have just been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis on Sunday, I had symptoms of bloating, loose stool and bleeding for 12 months, I was initially diagnosed as haemorrhoids but after requesting to be seen again due to worsening symptoms, colonic ulcers were found, lots of biopsies were taken.
The consultant has recommended medication which I’m waiting for my GP to prescribe.
My abdomen and bowels have been a lot worse since the colonoscopy, lots of wind, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and more bleeding, all worse than normal. I wanted to ask, from peoples experiences, is this to be expected after a colonoscopy, can it cause a flare?
Many thanks
Sadly, whenever I was in a severe state of my disease and had a colonoscopy it would throw me into a flare. It would take me a couple of weeks to recover. I would have pain which would resolve in a couple of days. But increased bleeding and diarrhea happened and took around two weeks to settle. I'm sorry you are going through this. Eat only safe foods and be kind to your gut. Lots of bone broth and chicken soup to help soothe. -Elizabeth (team member)
Welcome to the community
!
One of the things that you will see/hear said a lot in the IBD community is that everyone is different. I seriously can't even stress this enough!
It's pretty standard to experience some discomfort for a while after the procedure. Having all of that air pumped in and having biopsies taken can obviously anger the intestine - even in healthy people.
That said, my intestine is very grumpy and it doesn't react well to be being touched at all. Going for a scope did usually result in me being in a full-blown flare.
I hope you're feeling a little better now. How have you been? Have you started treatment now?
- Sahara (team member)
Hi Clare,
I hope you're better from the time you posted this message.
I have been there! The symptoms that you've described has happened to me either. But don't be nervous. and always raise your voice to your doctor when you need help.
Stay positive
I've definitely experienced a recent worsening of my symptoms after a colonoscopy. My ulcerations were so bad that they could not go further than a sigmoidoscopy. The prep itself seemed to trigger me into a very active and painful flare - but I was already in active flare.
I hope your colon settles and that you get started on medication as soon as you can. I was initially diagnosed in 2018 but I refused medication at the time. Fast forward to 2021 and the worst flare which hospitalized me for 3 weeks. Now I am currently on Steroids, biologic Infliximab infusions, Pentasa mesalamine and steroid foam enemas. Its such an individual journey though and you are so right to push them forward. We have to be our own advocates in all of this. What I am learning is to really take such good loving care of myself and to do my research well. Wishing you health and the right solution for you.
